Licensed bureau de changes are usually available at airports; this is very convenient particularly w

The holidays are here and hopefully we can get away from the stresses and strains of work and routine home life. Many people will be heading home to Nigeria to spend time with friends and family whilst others will be heading for other destinations to enjoy their annual break. With all the excitement of deciding where to go and what to do, it is so easy to overspend. Whilst we don't want you to be a scrooge, here are a few ways to manage your holiday finances and still have lots of fun.
I hope you have already rent a car in paris made your travel plans and haven't waited until the last minute to make arrangements for your holiday, unless you can afford to be flexible and accept whatever is available. Last minute bookings can cost you twice as much as if you had booked weeks, if not months in advance. rent a car in paris This can get really expensive when you are making a booking for a large family or group. When you book early, there is more time to make travel arrangements and shop around for better deals on fares, hotel accommodation and tour packages.
You can use your air miles to offset your ticket or accommodation costs, if you book far in advance of your trip. Bear in mind that the best value you can get with your air miles is to use it during off-peak seasons when demand is low.
Once you have an idea of the sort of holiday you would like and where you would like to go, start working out how much it will cost; don't forget the extras that tend to spring up. You do not have to travel to an expensive and exotic location just because "everyone rent a car in paris else" is doing so. Of course, rent a car in paris a two-week cruise on the Nile sounds wonderful and is what you deserve, but can you really afford rent a car in paris it?
Look critically at your finances. How much spare cash do you actually have to spend? Are there any additional inflows you can expect over the coming weeks? Have you saved towards your holiday? By putting some money aside in advance, you won't be tempted to make a huge dent in your savings all at once.
Set an overall spending limit and involve your family in setting their individual limits. You will need to budget for the various aspects of holiday spending including rent a car in paris accommodation, transport fares, food, shopping, entertainment, gifts, excursions and so on. Try to stay within your budget without taking all the fun out of the holiday. Avoid borrowing to finance your holiday unless there is the absolute certainty of an impending inflow of funds.
You are entitled to purchase Personal Travel rent a car in paris Allowance ("PTA"), in the sum of $4,000 per quarter; this will be paid in cash, travellers cheques or can be transferred to your account abroad. You will need your international passport with a valid visa for the country you are visiting, and a return air ticket to support your PTA application.
Licensed bureau de changes are usually available at airports; this is very convenient particularly when you arrive, but they tend not to be as competitive as those in town. Look out for the commission charge and the exchange rate offered. Work out exactly how much you will get in exchange for your currency, to make sure it meets your expectations. Be cautious when you patronize rent a car in paris moneychangers, as there is the very real risk of being shortchanged or sold counterfeit money.
rent a car in paris The Naira Visa and Mastercard Debit Cards allow you to access foreign exchange from your Naira account while abroad and Naira while in Nigeria. Denominated in Naira, they can be used on Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) or Point of Sale (POS) globally where the Visa or Mastercard sign is displayed to either pay for goods and services or access foreign exchange. Linked to your Current or Savings account, all transactions reflect instantly.
If you plan to use your cards whilst you are away to save you carrying too much cash, notify your bank or credit card company; as an added security precaution, many card providers look out for what appears to be "suspicious" activity. If they see your card being heavily used particularly in what is an unusual environment for you, your account may be suspended until they have heard from you to confirm that it is indeed you using the card. Ensure that your card providers can reach you whilst you are away.
As far as possible use your debit card for withdrawals rent a car in paris at ATMs during bank opening hours. It is very expensive to use a credit card. Remember to hold some cash as back up just in case your card is lost, stolen or gets stuck in an ATM.
As far as possible book your car ahead of your departure as picking one up on arrival is usually more expensive. Read through the terms and conditions fully understanding the insurance terms, particularly where you require a self-drive car rental for a period. Car hire services are readily available but it is safer to patronize a reputable licensed agency.
Be particularly cautious of opportunistic "taxi drivers" who beckon as you step out of the arrivals rent a car in paris hall; they are looking to make money from unsuspecting rent a car in paris tourists and visitors and will charge exorbitant rates. Go to an official rent a car in paris taxi rank if you haven't booked a car in advance, and make sure you are getting into a licensed taxi.
Have you given any thought to what would happen if something were to go wrong? While vacations usually go without incident, you don't want to be caught unawares. What if someone in your family suddenly falls ill? What if your luggage gets lost or you have to cancel your trip? Travel insurance usually includes coverage for medical bills, lost baggage and cancellations. Read the fine print to ensure that you have the best coverage at affordable rates and make sure your medical insurance card is on you.
To use your phone abroad you will have to pay to both make and receive calls. The "roaming charges" can result in a shocking telephone bill when you return home. Contact your service provider rent a car in paris and be sure of the implications and costs. Often people end up with huge bills without even knowing rent a car in paris how it happened. Pay your bills in advance so that you don't get cut off whilst you are away.
It makes sense to buy a local SIM card when you arrive at your destination; rent a car in paris make sure that your friends, family, colleagues and important contacts rent a car in paris have the number rent a car in paris so that you don't miss out on important calls. Most SIM cards don t charge to receive calls and making calls will be much cheaper than using your usual number.
Above all, remember that a vacation is really rent a car in paris about spending quality time with loved ones, having time for yourself and to just rest. It need not be that expensive; you can rediscover your own environment by visiting places close to home, revisit your hobbies, pastimes, and sports. With a little careful planning, you can find a balance between having an enjoyable vacation and still keeping your finances in check. Happy holidays!
Nimi Akinkugbe  has extensive experience in private banking and wealth management. She is passionate about encouraging financial independence and offers frank, practical insights to create a greater awareness and understanding of personal finance and wealth management issues. She is married with 3 children.Find out more via  www.nimiakinkugbe.com
Great piece but unfortunately most Nigerians spend their leave in front of their Tvs. Vacationing is not really a part of our culture but the truth is if you plan for it, no matter how little you earn you can actually go on vacation. Doesn t even have to be travelling abroad, you can go to Ghana and even some other parts of Nigeria. rent a car in paris Thanks Nimi for this article. I remember overspending during one vacation my cash ran out and i immediately fell back on my Naira Master card. LoL
i don t have a set holiday month or time thanks to my holiday savings account where i put in a certain amount everymonth unless it s a special preplanned holiday like a wedding rent a car in paris or family reunion abroad to which i also save differently for the best advice i ever got from a friend years ago and have stuck to it by the way this August being holiday time is soooooooooooo West African lol i don t hear other Africans talk about it but i have heard colleagues in Sierra Leone and Ghana refer to August as a holiday month
the fiance and i are going to dubai next week. uber excited i did everything on that list except insurance im gonna looking inot that asap. we dont want any unexpected issues. thanks for all the advice.
This makes me excited! Haven t been on holiday in a year; well except Nigeria! But booking in advance is key; especially from the UK. You will find great deals if you book online and give at least 2months notice.
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